Two brothers who ran a prolific heroin and cocaine supply business known as the "Tommy Line" across the north west have been jailed. Paul Kelly, 40, received 80 months for his fifth drug dealing conviction, while his younger brother Keith Kelly, 37, was locked up for the first time.
Police raid uncovers drugs and cash
Liverpool Crown Court heard that police executed a search warrant at Paul Kelly's home on McDonald Road in Morecambe on the morning of March 3 this year. His partner and two children were present, and Keith Kelly was found in the back garden. Officers described Keith as "extremely nervous" and recovered a "large quantity" of heroin and cocaine from him.
Prosecutor Zahra Baqri detailed how Paul Kelly told police his younger sibling had been "staying with him on a temporary basis". A search of the property revealed mobile phones, a quantity of cocaine and cannabis, digital scales and £3,110 in cash.
Frenetic dealing activity revealed
Examination of the devices showed "frenetic drug dealing activity" over the previous three months as part of the "Tommy Line". More than 1,200 messages had been sent and received in connection with the business, including 254 texts exchanged on one day alone.
Ms Baqri said: "The offenders, at times, co-located and moved together all over the north west area, including Wigan and Liverpool. It is the prosecution case that the two brothers operated the lines as a joint enterprise. They are both as culpable in this enterprise as each other."
Police seized 7.36g of "import quality" cocaine worth between £294 and £514, 7.42g of crack cocaine valued at around £1,080, and 2.71g of heroin said to be worth £300.
Previous convictions and sentences
Paul Kelly has 26 previous convictions for 58 offences, including a 2002 conviction for possession of cannabis with intent to supply. He received three years in 2009, 68 months in 2014, and six years in 2019 for drug offences. His counsel Daniel Jones said he returned to dealing to assist his brother with debts, adding: "It is no excuse. That is why he did it again."
Keith Kelly has five previous convictions for nine offences, including possession of cocaine in 2010 and drug driving in October 2019. His counsel Jason Smith said he was an alcoholic with 17 years of alcohol abuse, and "that leaves defendants vulnerable".
Paul Kelly admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine and was jailed for 80 months via video link. Keith Kelly pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine and possession with intent to supply, and was handed three years and four months. Family members in the public gallery reached over a glass pane to hug him before he was taken to the cells.
Sentencing, Judge Ian Harris said: "The distribution of class A drugs is a scourge on our society. Individuals, families and communities are adversely affected by drug use and abuse." He told Keith Kelly: "Your reasons, that is the need for money, do not excuse your criminality, which you and your brother entered into with enthusiasm and vigour."
